In order to help adult readers with problems, it is necessary to develop an approach to teaching them that is sensitive to language and that makes explicit reference to the way language works to make meaning in texts. A language-based approach requires teachers to become more aware of the relatively invisible language system that lies behind the…

This journal issue contains six articles related to language-centered reading instruction, integrated language arts, and reading comprehension. The first article discusses the language experience approach (LEA) to developing comprehension skills in adult beginning readers. The second article describes examples of uses of LEA in such content areas…